Patents by Inventor Kenneth Gainey
Kenneth Gainey has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20060183421Abstract: A physical layer frequency translating repeater (600, 700) for use in a wireless network includes signal processor (710-714) coupled with a signal processing bus (711), a processor (627) and a memory (650). The physical layer repeater conducts physical layer repeating and selectively conducts layer 2 and possibly layer 3 functions depending on network conditions and other factors. A demodulator (623) can extract address information such as media access control (MAC) addressing to enable packets to be redirected, terminated, stored and forwarded, if necessary, based on network conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2006Publication date: August 17, 2006Applicant: WIDEFI, INC.Inventors: James Proctor, Kenneth Gainey, Carlos Puig, James Otto, Lawrence LaMont
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Publication number: 20060152420Abstract: An active antenna element to transmit and/or receive RF (Radio Frequency) signals is positioned in relation to a backplane that reflects RF signals. One or more passive antenna elements can be disposed on a similar side of the backplane as the active antenna element. Settings of the one or more passive antenna elements are adjusted to produce an input/output beam pattern that varies depending on whether the at least one passive antenna element is reflective or transmissive. Based on this technique, an RF input output beam pattern of an antenna assembly including the backplane, active antenna element and passive antenna elements can be controlled for better reception and transmission of RF signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2006Publication date: July 13, 2006Inventors: Griffin Gothard, Kenneth Gainey, Bing Chiang
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Publication number: 20060125709Abstract: An antenna apparatus, which can increase capacity in a cellular communication system or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), such as an 802.11 network, operates in conjunction with a mobile subscriber unit or client station. At least one antenna element is active and located within multiple passive antenna elements. The passive antenna elements are coupled to selectable impedance components for phase control of re-radiated RF signals. Various techniques for determining the phase of each antenna element are supported to enable the antenna apparatus to direct an antenna beam pattern toward a base station or access point with maximum gain, and, consequently, maximum signal-to-noise ratio. By directionally receiving and transmitting signals, multipath fading is greatly reduced as well as intercell interference.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2006Publication date: June 15, 2006Inventors: Griffin Gothard, Alton Keel, Christopher Snyder, Bing Chiang, Joe Richeson, Douglas Wood, James Proctor, Kenneth Gainey
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Publication number: 20060098592Abstract: A frequency translating repeater (250) for use in a time division duplex radio protocol communications system includes a processor (260), a bus (261), a memory (262), an RF section (264), and an integrated station device (264). An access point (210) is detected based on information transmitted frequency channels using a protocol. Detection is initiated automatically during a power-on sequence or by activating an input device such as a button. Frequency channels are scanned for a beacon signal and an access point chosen as a preferred access point based on a metric such as power level.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2003Publication date: May 11, 2006Applicant: WiDeFi, Inc.Inventors: James Proctor Jr., Kenneth Gainey
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Publication number: 20060063485Abstract: A frequency translating repeater (200) for use in a time division duplex radio protocol communications system includes an automatic gain control feature. Specifically, a received signal (330) is split to provide signal detection paths (331, 332) wherein detection is performed by amplifiers (301, 302) filters (311, 312), converters (313, 314) and a processor (315). Delay is added using analog circuits such as SAW filters (307, 308, 309, 310) and gain adjustment provided by gain control elements (303, 304, 305, 306).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2003Publication date: March 23, 2006Inventors: Kenneth Gainey, James Proctor
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Publication number: 20060063484Abstract: A frequency translating repeater (200) for use in a WLAN environment includes an in-band management link. A signal received on an antenna (300) is split to provide signal detection in a detection and control unit (385) wherein detection is performed by detectors (370, 371) filters (375, 376), converters (380, 381) and a processor (385). Delay is added using delay lines (360, 361). The in-band signal envelope may be modulated with variable gain amplifier (330) and demodulated with detectors (370, 371) to establish the management link with higher protocol layer capability. Alternatively, a modern function at least partially compliant to 802.11 modulation may be used in parallel with the frequency translating repeater.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2003Publication date: March 23, 2006Inventors: James Proctor, Kenneth Gainey
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Publication number: 20060041680Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for operating a frequency translating repeater in a wireless local are network (WLAN) having one or more repeaters (200, 204), a network protocol for communicating between one or more base units (100) and one or more client units (104, 105). A first frequency channel may be used for receiving and transmitting, the network protocol defining multiple operating frequencies monitored to detect a transmitted signal. The signal is characterized to determine if associated with the base units. A second frequency channel selected for use by one of the repeaters for retransmission of additional signals based on the characterization.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2003Publication date: February 23, 2006Inventors: James Proctor Jr, Kenneth Gainey
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Publication number: 20050286448Abstract: A repeater (200) facilitates wireless communication between a first communication device (100) and a second communication device (105) in a wireless network using a time division duplex protocol for data transmission. The repeater (200) includes a receiver (310, 315) for receiving a signal on either of at least two bi-directional communication frequencies simultaneously. A signal detector (362) is operatively coupled to the receiver (300, 310, 315) for determining if the signal is present on at least one of the two bi-directional frequencies. A frequency converter (320, 321, 323, 324, 360, 361) is for converting the signal present on one of the bi-directional frequencies to a converted signal on the other of the bi-directional frequencies. A transmitter (300, 325, 330, 335, 345, 350) is for transmitting the converted signal on the other of said bi-directional frequencies.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2003Publication date: December 29, 2005Applicant: WiDeFi, Inc.Inventors: James Proctor, Kenneth Gainey
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Publication number: 20050282491Abstract: A frequency translating repeater (120) for use in a time division duplex (TDD) radio protocol communications system includes local oscillator (LO) circuits (210, 310, and 410) to facilitate repeating by providing isolation, reduced phase noise, reduced pulling, and the like. Tunable LOs (441, 442) can be directly coupled to down-converters (413, 414) and up-converters (426, 427) for increased isolation, reduced phase noise, less stringent frequency accuracy, and a reduced potential for pulling.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2005Publication date: December 22, 2005Inventors: Kenneth Gainey, Kevin Negus, James Otto, James Proctor
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Publication number: 20050256963Abstract: In a wireless communications network such as a WLAN, a frequency translating repeater (200, 204) facilitates and enhances wireless communication between a first communication device (100) and one or more second client unit (104, 105) using frequency translation and retransmission based on modified protocol messages (410). A DS parameter message (310) may include a frequency channel intended for use between one or more of repeaters (200, 204) and client units (104, 105) but does not include the frequency channel between one or more of repeaters (200, 204) and the first communication device (100).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2003Publication date: November 17, 2005Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventors: James Proctor Jr., Kenneth Gainey
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Publication number: 20050239407Abstract: Methods of scheduling optimization of communications used with Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) equipment that employs steerable directional antennas. The methods may use and are compatible with Media Access Control (MAC) layers of IEEE 802.11 group of standards. The methods do not depend on any particular PHY layer standard.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2005Publication date: October 27, 2005Applicant: IPR Licensing, Inc.Inventors: Lawrence Foore, Kenneth Gainey
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Publication number: 20050190115Abstract: An antenna array that uses at least two passive antennas and one active antenna disposed above a ground plane, but electrically isolated from the ground plane, and a respective resonant strip positioned beneath each passive antenna. The passive antenna elements are positioned about the active element, and each of the at least two passive antenna elements is individually set to a reflective or a transmissive mode to change the characteristics of an input/output beam pattern of the antenna apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2005Publication date: September 1, 2005Applicant: IPR Licensing, Inc.Inventors: Bing Chiang, Griffin Gothard, Christopher Snyder, William Palmer, Michael Lynch, Thomas Gorsuch, Kenneth Gainey, James Proctor
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Publication number: 20050174298Abstract: An antenna assembly includes at least two active or main radiating omni-directional antenna elements arranged with at least one beam control or passive antenna element used as a reflector. The beam control antenna element(s) may have multiple reactance elements that can electrically terminate it to adjust the input or output beam pattern(s) produced by the combination of the active antenna elements and the beam control antenna element(s). More specifically, the beam control antenna element(s) may be coupled to different terminating reactances to change beam characteristics, such as the directivity and angular beamwidth. Processing may be employed to select which terminating reactance to use. Consequently, the radiator pattern of the antenna can be more easily directed towards a specific target receiver/transmitter, reduce signal-to-noise interference levels, and/or increase gain.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2005Publication date: August 11, 2005Applicant: IPR Licensing, Inc.Inventors: Bing Chiang, Kenneth Gainey, James Proctor, Antoine Rouphael, Griffin Gothard, Michael Lynch
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Publication number: 20050143132Abstract: An antenna apparatus that can increase capacity in a cellular communication system. The antenna operates in conjunction with a mobile subscriber unit and provides a plurality of antenna elements, each coupled to a respective signal control component such as a phase shifter. The phase shift for each antenna element is programmed for optimum reception during, for example, an idle mode when a pilot signal is received. The antenna array creates a beam former for signals to be transmitted from the mobile subscriber unit, and a directional receiving array to more optimally detect and receive signals transmitted from the base station. By directionally receiving and transmitting signals, multipath fading is greatly reduced as well as intercell interference. The phase shifters are adjusted in a coarse and a fine mode. In the coarse mode all phase shifters are jointly incremented through several phase shift values until a signal quality metric is optimized.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2004Publication date: June 30, 2005Applicant: IPR Licensing, Inc.Inventors: James Proctor, Lawrence La Mont, George Nelson, Kenneth Gainey
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Publication number: 20050104687Abstract: A varactor based phase shifter that increases phase shift range using a lower characteristic impedance between quadrature ports than is used at its input/output ports. The circuit makes use of a four port coupler arrangement that imbeds a quarter wave impedance transformation between the input port and the quadrature ports as well as between the quadrature ports and the output port. The characteristic impedance across the quadrature ports is therefore less than the characteristic impedance across the input and output ports. In one implementation, reducing a characteristic input/output impedance of 50 to a 20 ohm quadrature port impedance results in a phase shift range increase of more than 50%.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2004Publication date: May 19, 2005Applicant: IPR Licensing, Inc.Inventors: Bing Chiang, James Proctor, Kenneth Gainey
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Publication number: 20050078047Abstract: A directive antenna having plural antenna elements is arranged in a parasitic antenna array. Frequency selective components are connected to an active antenna element. Weighting structures are connected to passive antenna elements positioned substantially equidistant from the active antenna element. The active and passive antenna elements are connected by a space-fed power distribution system to produce independently steerable beams having spectrally separated signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2004Publication date: April 14, 2005Applicant: IPR Licensing, Inc.Inventors: Bing Chiang, Kenneth Gainey, James Proctor
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Publication number: 20040150568Abstract: An antenna array that uses at least two passive antennas and one active antenna disposed above a ground plane, but electrically isolated from the ground plane, and a respective resonant strip positioned beneath each passive antenna. The passive antenna elements are positioned about the active element, and each of the at least two passive antenna elements is individually set to a reflective or a transmissive mode to change the characteristics of an input/output beam pattern of the antenna apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2003Publication date: August 5, 2004Applicant: Tantivy Communications, Inc.Inventors: Bing Chiang, Griffin K. Gothard, Christopher A. Snyder, William R. Palmer, Michael Lynch, Thomas Gorsuch, Kenneth Gainey, James A. Proctor